Thin Film Nanoarchitectonics

A paradigm shift from nanotechnology to nanoarchitectonics is necessary. Individual nano-objects are required to be constructed into functional nanoarchitectures in order to develop this field and its potential applications. According to nanoarchitectonic strategies, materials are formed based on manipulation of atoms, molecules, or their assemblies and through synergetic combinations of chemical nanofabrication, self-organization, and field-controlled organization. In this review, nanoarchitectonics involving films are summarized, in which both nano-level material (i.e. molecular) interactions and external stimuli are utilized in a harmonized manner. In film nanoarchitectonics, three major strategies are used for thin film preparation: self-assembled monolayer (SAM) technique, Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) method, and layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly. The SAM method is a powerful and precise strategy for surface nanoarchitectures that is advantageous for introduction of functionality to device structures and for preparation of biocompatible surfaces. LbL assembly and LB techniques both provide effective methods for preparing controlled layered nanoarchitectures. LbL assembly is somewhat more versatile being useful for preparing a wide range of layered nanoarchitectures and has been rapidly taken up for various applications. On the other hand, the LB method is unique for its utilization of a dynamic interface in production processes. Thin film nanoarchitectonics is an excellent prototypical method for formation of three-dimensional nanoarchitectures.